Candidate wants to get more students involved

Stephen Saucier, a presidential candidate in the upcoming SGA elections, has developed a platform that is constantly growing and changing. He said this is because his main goal, if elected SGA president, would be to get more "regular" students involved and interested in the governing body.

"I'd like to create a more dynamic and student-centered government," he said. "So everything in my platform comes directly from students."

Saucier, a junior majoring in management information systems who said his lack of experience in the SGA is an asset rather than a disadvantage, said he would like to create a Web site devoted to creating a more open dialogue between students and SGA officials. He said this would help lower apathy toward the SGA amongst students.

Saucier said another thing he would like to create if elected is a program that would give students a partial refund for their unused meal plan meals. He said the money could be refunded as Dining Dollars or Bama Cash.

"I talked to President [Robert] Witt about it last week," Saucier said. "He said if we submitted a proposal, it would definitely be considered."

Saucier said he would also like to see the left over money in students' Dining Dollars accounts be rolled over to their student accounts at the end of each semester.

"That way students would get a check and be able to do whatever they want to with that money," he said.

Another big point on his platform involves the parking situation on campus. Saucier had the addition of universal parking spots at the Student Recreation Center on his platform, but the Senate is already considering similar legislation.

"Apparently, we've made an impact already," Saucier said.

Saucier said that was not his only idea to improve parking, however. He would like to create a program so students will be able to work off their parking ticket fines with community service, instead of paying them.

"Most students just don't have the money to pay $50 a pop [for] parking tickets," he said.

Saucier said he also has plans to increase contact between students who don't typically interact with one another, such as international students and domestic students, and freshmen and seniors.

"I'd like to create a Big Brothers, Big Sisters kind of program that students could get involved in on a volunteer basis," he said. "I think this will create a more outsider-friendly environment."

Another new program he said he would like to implement if elected is one that would keep professors from switching the edition of the book they're using in their class between the fall and spring semesters.

"Most edition changes don't really make a big difference," he said.

Saucier also has plans to improve existing programs, such as the recycling program. Along with extending the general reach of the program, he said he wants to incorporate glass recycling into the program.

Saucier said his platform is fluid and will continue to grow as long as students keep coming to him with their concerns.

"I really wish to be give the student voice back to the SGA," he said.